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Europe close: Stocks mostly higher heading into Easter week
European stocks ended mostly higher, while safe-haven assets rallied amid rising geopolitical tensions after the US launched a missile attack on a Syrian airfield, despite a weaker than expected US non-farm payrolls report for March.
Week ahead: China, UK data in focus
The coming holiday-shortened week in the West will see the spotlight shift towards China, with traders likely to be eyeing the news-flow over the weekend coming out of the meetings between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US president Donald Trump.
FX round-up: Sterling slapped lower on Friday after data disappointment
Sterling was slapped lower on on multiple major crosses on Friday as unimpressed investors sold the UK unit after a trinity of manufacturing, industrial and construction data disappointed this morning.
FTSE 250 movers: Cairn Energy, Tullow Oil lead midcaps to new highs
London's FTSE 250 index ended the week at a new all-time high, led by oil companies as crude prices firmed amid heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East.
London close: FTSE ahead on sterling weakness, gold's gains
Stocks in London closed higher on the back of sterling weakness caused by displeasing UK data this morning, and helped by a rally in gold after the US launched a missile strike on an airbase in Syria which was behind an alleged chemical-weapons attack.
Sector movers: Aerospace names lead gains, grocers wanted ahead of Tesco results
Aerospace & Defence flew to the top following a US missile strike against the Syrian-government controlled airfield from which American officials suspected a sarin gas attack against the town of Khan Sheikhun in Idlib province was launched on Tuesday.
Greece agrees deal on economic reforms ahead of July repayment
Greece reached a deal on economic reforms with creditors over its €86bn bailout, marking an important step towards avoining a potential bankruptcy in July.
US launches missile attack on Syria airbase
US warships fired almost 60 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airfield early on Friday in response to what President Donald Trump said was a "barbaric" chemical attack by the Damascus government.
Three killed as truck crashes through crowds in Stockholm
A truck has ploughed through crowds in the centre of Stockholm with early reports of at least three people killed, local media said.
Fitch downgrades South Africa to junk status following political turmoil
Ratings agency Fitch followed S&P on Friday in downgrading South Africa to ‘BBB-’ from ‘BB+’ in the wake of political turmoil which has seen several government ministers replaced and country-wide protests on Friday.
Commodities: Gold, crude up after US missiles hit 'chemical weapons' airbase in Syria
Gold sprinted higher early on Friday and held its ground as investors scurried for the defensive asset on news of a targeted US missile strike on an airbase in Syria apparently used for a chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town.
European Commission clears 21st Century Fox bid for Sky
The European Commission has cleared Twenty-First Century Fox's proposed acquisition of Sky - both of which are controlled by Rupert Murdoch - saying the deal would raise no competition concerns in Europe.
US open: Stocks resilient despite negative jobs surprise, geopolitics in focus
Wall Street was slightly on the backfoot at the start of the session as startled traders tried to reconcile a surprisingly low reading on US non-farm payrolls for March with a large and a unexpected drop in the unemployment rate.
Microsaic amends agreement with long-term partner
Chip-based mass spectrometry instrument developer Microsaic Systems announced on Friday that it signed an amendment to its research collaboration agreement with an unnamed long-standing global partner.
FTSE 100 movers: Randgold a safe haven after US attacks; copper fall hits other miners
Randgold Resources led the blue chip risers on Friday as investors looked for safe haven options in the wake of the US attack on Syria.
Rotala says current trading in line as it lifts FY pre-tax profit
Shares in UK transport solutions provider Rotala were up almost 3% after it recorded a triple-digit rise in full-year pre-tax profit and said trading in the current year was in line with budget.
Broker tips: Morrison, Astra Zeneca, Ocado
Analysts at UBS heaped praise on Morrison management's decision to go 'back to basics' which helped the grocer confound market expectations over the past year, but judged that the shares's valuation was now 'fair' - although sentiment towards the stocks was too negative.
UBS ups target on Morrison but eyes growing threat from discounters
Analysts at UBS heaped praise on Morrison management's decision to go 'back to basics' which helped the grocer confound market expectations over the past year, but judged that the shares's valuation was now 'fair' - although sentiment towards the stocks was too negative.
Smiths Group completes Morpho Detection buy after US DoJ clearance
Smiths Group has completed its buy of Morpho Detection after getting clearance for the deal on 31 March from the US Department of Justice.